September 11, 2015

Gamble played
both cornerback and wide receiver in college, and was part of Ohio State’s 2002
national championship team. He was chosen by the Panthers in the first round of
the 2004 NFL draft (28th overall) and, despite being a raw talent,
moved directly into the starting lineup.

2004 Season Summary

Appeared in all
16 games

[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions
– 6 [3, tied with four others, 1st in NFC]

Most
interceptions, game – 2 at Atlanta 12/18

Int. return
yards – 15

Most int.
return yards, game – 13 (on 1 int.) at Kansas City 9/19

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble
recoveries – 1

Forced
fumbles – 1

Tackles – 68

Assists – 6

Punt Returns

Returns – 9

Yards – 69

Average per
return – 7.7

TDs – 0

Longest
return – 16 yards

Panthers went
7-9 to finish third in the NFC South while leading the NFL in interceptions
(26).

Aftermath:

Gamble followed
up in 2005 by intercepting 7 passes that he returned for 157 yards and a TD.
Fast and agile, he could also be inconsistent and reckless in taking chances.
Gamble’s play improved over time, as a tackler in the defensive backfield as
well as a cover corner, and he was typically a solid starter, if not an elite
performer. He also encountered problems with injuries but lasted for nine years
with Carolina and appeared in a total of 123 games. While Gamble endured a
difficult season in 2010 in which he was benched for a time and suffered a
hamstring injury, costing him five games, he bounced back in 2011. He was
released following an injury-plagued 2012 season and retired at age 29, having
intercepted a franchise-record 27 passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus
first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the
following statistical categories: